The Dutch centre-back is out of contract at the end of this season and could leave Villa Park on a free transfer, meaning the club will be more likely to accept cut-price bids for him if they come in during the winter.

Arsenal are desperate for new signings in defence after an unsteady start to the season in that department, with injuries to the likes of Laurent Koscielny and Mathieu Debuchy badly exposing the club’s lack of depth in that department.

The likes of Calum Chambers and Nacho Monreal have filled in out of position in the cente of defence on a number of occasions, but Arsenal will now be hoping to land an experienced specialist in that area with a move for Vlaar.

The 29-year-old has been in fine form for Villa since he moved to England, and his displays have also caught the eye of Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal, whose side could also do with reinforcements at the back this term.